Rita- Our newest addition

[ES Emus]

This is Rita, our newest emu, not sure of its exact age, somewhere between 6-8 moths old. Picked her up in upstate PA yesterday for her four and a half hour ride down to VA. She is now in the introductory pen adjacent to the large emu enclosure. She is not intimidated at all by the larger emus, but they are acting very agressive towards her through the wire (as expected). The adults were already riled up, as their hormones have started to kick in, just before mating season, lots of drumming and grunting going on! My question is: do you think that, because of the timing, I will have to wait until after the breeding season to introduce her to the older birds or do you think they will get used to her and begin to ignore her as they concentrate on their own love life?

 

[Tame Emu Guy]

Cool question!!

I have no experience in this, but I'd like to guess, and see if I learn thereby:

she might not 'register' in the breeding-season sense -- she's only a quarter grown .
But could there still be simple territorial stuff? Do they all have heaps of room?

It's most interesting that she's not afraid!

Supreme Emu

P.s.: is the russet colour just the sun?

 

[ES Emus]

Cool question!!

I have no experience in this, but I'd like to guess, and see if I learn thereby:

she might not 'register' in the breeding-season sense -- she's only a quarter grown .
But could there still be simple territorial stuff? Do they all have heaps of room?

It's most interesting that she's not afraid!

Supreme Emu

P.s.: is the russet colour just the sun?

okay- here's an update, the dominant pair in the large enclosure turned on a smaller male, to the point that one of its "wing stubs" was bloody and it was very winded. So I removed him from the large enclosure and put him in the smaller enclosure with Rita. As soon as it caught its breath and drank lots of water, it began to pursue the younger bird! So I quickly separated them, and placed the male in a fenced off section of the largest enclosure. Got to love those raging hormones!!! So all of the unpaired birds are separated until eveybody learns to play together nicely, which I'm guessing will be after the breeding season...

The russet color was just a function of the late afternoon sun, she is actually very dark in color.

 

[ES Emus]

It's most interesting that she's not afraid!

Supreme Emu

She seems oblivious and unfazed as the larger birds throw themselves againt the fence as they defend their "territory" from this new potential intruder! She is calm, cool, and collective...!

 

[ES Emus]

She seems oblivious and unfazed as the larger birds throw themselves againt the fence as they defend their "territory" from this new potential intruder! She is calm, cool, and collective...!

 

[canesisters]

They look so soft! Do their feathers feel 'hairy' or are they course?
Lovely birds!!! As much as I enjoy just watching my chickens - these guys must be fascinating.

 

[ES Emus]

They look so soft! Do their feathers feel 'hairy' or are they course?
Lovely birds!!! As much as I enjoy just watching my chickens - these guys must be fascinating.

The long feathers on the tail portion are coarse, almost like wheat straw. The back, side and breast feathers are super soft...

 

[ES Emus]

Rita update: After only two days of separation, Rita and the bullied emu have become penmates and are getting along without any difficulties. It took a week for the Alpha pair in the adjoining pen to downplay their aggressive behavior, though they continue to periodically follow the birds in the adjacent pen up and down the fenceline...all expected emu behavior.

 

[Tame Emu Guy]

E.S., the updates are most useful.

I’m interested to learn:

when two wild birds fight, it’s brief. They square off; they exchange blows over mere seconds; the defeated bird breaks away and bolts.

So, when birds in a pen fight, does the defeated bird have to 'flee at length'? or do they have repeated bouts?

Supreme Emu

 

[ES Emus]

E.S., the updates are most useful.

I’m interested to learn:

when two wild birds fight, it’s brief. They square off; they exchange blows over mere seconds; the defeated bird breaks away and bolts.

So, when birds in a pen fight, does the defeated bird have to 'flee at length'? or do they have repeated bouts?

Supreme Emu

In captivity, if there is sufficient space, the fights are also usually brief, and the loser just runs away. Future encounters usually only result in the dominant bird chasing off the weaker bird, but without making physical contact. The problem that I recently encountered involved a pair which had trapped the hapless third emu in a corner, preventing it from escaping. Most fights that occur with captive birds that produce any significant injuries can be attributed to too small of enclosures...